Declan Donnelly’s famous exes including fling with Grange Hill star after ‘painful’ split from presenter

Declan Donnelly, one half of the famous duo Ant and Dec, has had his fair share of romantic ups and downs before finding true love with his wife, Ali Astall.

Before their romance blossomed, Dec was linked to several well-known faces in the entertainment industry, including a Grange Hill star and a Sky News broadcaster.

Dec's first serious relationship was with Clare Buckfield, an actress known for her roles in 2point4 Children and CBBC's Grange Hill.

They parted ways in 2003, citing busy schedules as the reason, but Dec didn't rule out getting back together at the time.

After Clare, Dec was rumoured to be dating various stars, including TV presenters Sarah Cawood and Diana Stewart.

He then had a two-year relationship with Sky Sports presenter Georgie Thompson. Despite a painful breakup, they managed to stay friends.

In 2012, Dec reportedly had a brief romance with Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts after they became close following her stint on I'm A Celebrity.

Ashley had previously said: "I'd like to get to know Dec better. It would be nice to go for a drink and a chat."

However, the reported relationship soon fizzled out and they remained friends, with Ashley even attending Dec's wedding in 2015.

A year after his rumoured fling with Ashley, Dec found love with his manager of 10 years, Ali.

The pair immediately hit it off professionally in 2003 when Ali accompanied him and Ant McPartlin to Australia for the first ever I'm A Celeb.

He previously said they had always been close but had been reluctant to start a relationship because of work, and admitted they used to go out for Valentine's Day meals together when they were both single.

Speaking about their new romance at the time, a source said: "They've adored each other for years and people have often thought they were together but it's only recently they finally became an item. "They kept it quiet for ages but are at last coming to terms with being a couple in public."

A source revealed that Ali had been smitten with Dec "for a very long time" and remained single as she "held out for him".

The Mirror exclusively shared the news of their engagement in November 2014, with Dec proposing in Australia while filming I'm A Celeb.

Friends said they were "completely besotted with each other", adding they had been "best friends" for ages.

Dec and Ali tied the knot in August 2015 in a star-studded ceremony in Newcastle, officiated by his brother, Father Dermott Donnelly.

His best mate Ant was the best man. Celebs like Fearne Cotton, Paddy McGuinness, Philip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Andi Peters, Leigh Francis, Vernon Kay and Tess Daly were on the guest list.

The couple now have two children, a daughter named Isla Elizabeth Anne born in 2018, and a son named Jack born in 2022.

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